Transcript of the chat with Roger Drury, Custom and Online Course Coordinator at
Georgia TechLanguage Institute.
(Note: In places I've edited the transcript, grouping questions and answers together and deleting parts to shorten it. Lot's of good ideas and information here! Thanks Roger, Sue, Sergio, Juan and CathleneB! Ryan)
Feb 10, 2007. Chat in progress....
SergioMa: One question I have is about evaluation. The sheets you
uploaded show that you grade Production and Delivery. At the top there is
space for you to comment on Title, Creativity, and Production values. Am
I correct in supposing that you do not in fact give them points for
those? Since your subject is Oral Skills I fully understand that. At the
same time, I would perhaps be concerned that students would expect some
tangible reward for working hard on the video. Actually, this is a
general issue I have with using student video production in ELT.
RogerD: Yeah...that's definitely my experience
RogerD: i find that the students are pretty honest
RogerD: they know when they put in effort and when they don't
RogerD: and when their classmates do and don't
RogerD: so that's there mostly to keep people honest
RogerD: if they know I'm going to "evaluate" it, they are inclined to
more effort
SergioMa: I see.
RogerD: and it lets me reward the students who work harder
RogerD: if a student tries but isn't technically great, that doesn't
matter to me
RogerD: i still reward the effort
RogerD: after all, like you said, it's a pronunciation class
SueP: Roger, I was able to see the video your students did with phrasal
verbs but I couldn't access the videos on your Web page. There's been a
few comments in this class about students not wanting to participate.
Could you talk about how you get students to want to make or be in the
videos?
RogerD: one thing I let student do...if they're really, really shy in
front of the camera
RogerD: is to do voice over images
RogerD: for example
RogerD: i had a japanese student who was painfully shy
RogerD: and for his ad, he took some ipod pic
RogerD: pics
RogerD: and just wrote and recorded a script
SueP: good solution
RogerD: however, i really try to create an open atmosphere that
stresses the fun elements
RogerD: i think they feel pretty uninhibited
RogerD: so that doesn't happen much
RogerD: ...and again, though
CathleneB: voice overs might overcome some cultural barriers and fears
of illegal aliens.
SueP: my experience as well since they work in a small group or pair
RogerD: my kids are here in the US...I think the might be much more shy
in Korea or Japan
RogerD: oh yeah, Sue...I could completely see that
SergioMa: About the ads. They were really fun. Do you ask your students
to parody specific ads? I do not watch American commercials here in
Japan, so I cannot tell.
RogerD: for the broadcast, we watch a real local news first and i have
them take notes on it...on stories and ads
RogerD: they note the topics...I let them choose
RogerD: I think they're real good at getting the atmosphere
RogerD: I think you might be able to do the same in japan
RogerD: have them do english versions of japanese products
RogerD: with that more-intense japanese atmosphere
RogerD: i see a lot of funny student vids from japan, taiwan and korea
on utube
SergioMa: Interesting. Thanks. One of the ads features a real product,
a soap called Dove. My understanding is that in the US parody is
protected from copyright infringement, but satire is not. Presumably you
thought the Dove people would take it in good sport or would not waste time
complaining about such a small thing.
RogerD: Yeah, i'm afraid I probably too relaxed about things like that,
Sergio...funny story-
RogerD: one of the ads is for the text we use, Well Said
RogerD: the author is a good friend of mine
RogerD: when the students did that ad, I sent it to her in an email
RogerD: with the subject line: unauthorized ad
SergioMa: Cool!
RogerD: she thought it was so funny that she sent it to here publisher
RyanDe: uh oh
RogerD: so...i guess if Dove were angry, it'd just take it off
RogerD: publisher liked it, too
RogerD: ESL people are just so relaxed
SueP: true
RyanDe: ..about evaluations.. does the award ceremony that you do
motivate the students to work harder?
RogerD: I found the vid projects hard to get started
RogerD: the first time I did them, they mostly didn't work
RogerD: that is, the Phrasals and the News
RogerD: however, after I had a few samples of toher student work
RogerD: they really took off
RogerD: i think people needed a target to shoot at
RyanDe: interesting
RogerD: and they always try to do better
RogerD: they want to do better technically
RogerD: but the good thing is that they hear
RogerD: the other students miss the occasional stress
RogerD: and they pay more attention to theirs
RogerD: and i think they like that they aren't having to record sound
files of texts
RogerD: video is something different
RogerD: ...just my opinion
RogerD: have others had that experience?
SergioMa: Can you elaborate on that, please?
RogerD: different more in a novelty way than ontological...at least,
that's what I meant
SueP: Do you video their acceptance speeches?
RogerD: they're proud to be able to produce something that looks half
good
RogerD: for my awards?
SueP: yes
RogerD: i'm so sorry i couldn't get some exerpts of that online
RogerD: yes, I do
RogerD: in fact, the last time, I had two students taping it
RogerD: (one Saudi student LOVED video)
SueP: wonderful
RogerD: after they taped everything, the Saudi edited it, added music
RogerD: and everyone had it as a souvenir of the class
RogerD: usually, I just do one camera
SueP: Is it on your site?
RogerD: it's too big...and I haven't taken parts of it out
RogerD: but I'll do that, Sue
RogerD: they can be fun
SueP: Great. I do something similar with accepting Academy Awards and
I'd love an example to show my class. And the language of awards "I want
to thank everyone"
RogerD: Exactly!
RogerD: i have the presenters write and practice
SueP: "I couldn't have done it without you"
RogerD: then they open the envelope and announce the winners
JuanlusGst6: excuse me, Roger, you work with teenagers, you have
parent`s consent and do you upload videos to the net?
RogerD: we don't really work with teens...our kids have to 18
RogerD: but i have started getting permission from the student as a
result of last year's evo
RogerD: and, exactly!, winners ahve to give an acceptance
RogerD: great impromptu experience
SueP: yes.
RyanDe: do your students sign release forms?
RogerD: yes, they all sign the release....i think it's the way i
present it
RogerD: i tell them I want to put their work on the net, and that
Georgia Tech is making me get this release before i can do it
RogerD: they're all motivated and want to do it
RogerD: i like the release form in the EVO YG files section
RogerD: especially the class one
RogerD: i'm going to switch to it
RogerD: sue, what level are your students?
SueP: Interesting point someone made about students feelings about
participation in Japan, let's say and here in the states. I've never had a
student who didn't want to be taped.
SueP: It depends on the term. In spring I'll have low-advanced.
RogerD: same here...even japanese!....but I could well imagine a more
reserved attitude among students in Japan
SueP: and I want to do the news broadcast
SergioMa: My students in Japan accepted being taped but did not want
their video on the web
RogerD: i ask because it hadn't occured to me to give them the
scaffolding of expressions...that's a really good idea, esp for lower and
intermediate kids
RogerD: mine are advanced
SueP: I've tried a similar exercise and they do an on the spot segment,
etc.
RogerD: IC, Sergio...i'm not completely surprised by that
RyanDe: Sergio, would your students be interested in seeing some of
Roger's student's work?
RogerD: I find many students are more shy about their language
abilities in their own countries than when they are overseas
RogerD: and the act of going overseas, of course, is a kind of filter
itself
RyanDe: Would that influence their decision about posting to the web?
SergioMa: Well, I plan on showing it to them next April
SergioMa: I hope it will help
RogerD: you'll have to tell us how it goes, sergio
SueP: I've found students have really needed the scaffolding and the
results are much better too. Then the components you've worked into the
exercise can be included in a rubric.
SergioMa: I there is a way to keep in touch after the seminar is over
RogerD: i can recommend a couple as examples, and you can give them
options about how do their ads
SergioMa: I would be happy to
RyanDe: Yes
RogerD: I very much agree, Sue...and the lower the level, the more
scaffolding
RogerD: I think one of our lower intermediate teachers did ads with her
class, and they LOVED it!
RyanDe: Roger, would your students be interested in seeing work
produced by Sergio's class, Sue's class, and others? If so, would they be
willing to offer feedback?
RogerD: Mine would definitely be interested...i can hardly keep them
off utube
SergioMa: Grat. I will work on nmine!
RogerD: feedback would be trickier because of the timing issues....I'm
in an IEP with two-month terms
SueP: yes. Do you ever use the CNN education site with the daily news
and questions. It could be a springboard for the newscast activity.
RogerD: Sergio was talking about models for the ads and news...CNN
would be great for that
RogerD: while I can use local news
RogerD: he could use cnn online
SergioMa: I am thinking of letting my students do mini documentaries
about their hometown
SueP: fun
SergioMa: Perhaps initially using voiceover
RogerD: I think we're on the wavelength, sergio
SergioMa: Instead of appearing on camera
RogerD: i want to teach overseas
RogerD: and part of what i want to do is multi-part documentary
RogerD: on the city
RogerD: exactly what you're thinking
SergioMa: Perfect
RogerD: multi-segment...NOT multi part
SergioMa: I see
RogerD: how would you organize the doc?
SergioMa: Well, I posted the plan on my wiki
SergioMa: But basixcally they would take pictures
SergioMa: Of places they think significant
SergioMa: They would also journal on why these piplaces are significant
SergioMa: to them. And they would discuss each other's work as well
RogerD: ic...would they read the journal over the photos
SergioMa: before "releasing it"
SergioMa: No. They would later think what to say based ion what they
wrote
SergioMa: and their friends' reaction to it
RogerD: That's a really good idea...so the documentary would be an
assembly of each individual student's film
SergioMa: Something like that
SergioMa: I will have to see the composition of the class
RogerD: nice...i'd like to get your wiki address so i can look at it
more! Ryan added me to the EVO, so i can get it there
RogerD: of course...the composition of the class is important
RogerD: esp with respect to video
SergioMa: Thanks, Roger. Of course, it ios work in progress
RyanDe: Sergio, are you open to the idea of having the students read a
script or otherwise talk about the pictures in the docs?
RogerD: I think everything we're all doing is work in progress
SergioMa: Yes, but I would not want it to sound like they are reading,
if you see what I mean
RyanDe: I do. Good point.
RogerD: I've wondered about that for my Cherokee doc, too
SergioMa: True, Roger. But I am just beginning
RyanDe: Roger, will your students be interviewing people?
RogerD: Of course...but beginning rather strongly, I think
RogerD: yes..in fact, I've already started that
JuanlusGst6 left the room (signed off).
RogerD: for the first part of the doc, we're asking a series of people
what their idea of the Cherokee is
RogerD: so I sent them in pairs to the library
RogerD: athletic complex
RogerD: cafeteria
RogerD: and i had them ask 5-6 students for their impressions
RogerD: we practiced questions, rhythm, stress before
RogerD: they LOVED it!
RogerD: this week, we practice content questions for the guides at the
state park
JuanlusGst6 joined the room.
RogerD: (there are cherokee places here that are state parks)
RogerD: welcome back Juan
JuanlusGst6: ups, dont know what happened
RogerD: np...it's still unpredictable
SueP: This sounds like a great project, Roger.
RyanDe: Cathlene, are you there?
RogerD: I think interview (in the US) is good practice
RyanDe: it really does, Roger!
SueP: a kind of roving reporter thing
RogerD: yes...and not everyone agrees to comment
RogerD: and that's fine, too
RogerD: good experience also
JuanlusGst6: I sent a message about my video project, dit it appear?
RogerD: on here?
RyanDe: Do the interviewees sign release forms?
JuanlusGst6: yes, before I "left"
RyanDe: no.. I don't think so Juan
JuanlusGst6: ok
SueP: we've done this for a newsletter written by our students. I'd
love to have them video it now.
RyanDe: can you post it again?
RogerD: another good idea, Sue!
RogerD: how would you distribute it?
SueP: over our program's site?
RogerD: OK! would file size be an issue, or is there a streaming
server?
SueP: ideally I'd love to have a student show on our school's site
RogerD: i've seen pages that somehow link to files in Utube
SueP: the tech is beyond me. i don't know
SueP: hmm
RogerD: i'm afraid it's beyond me, too....but I have someone to dump it
on here!
JuanlusGst6: I'd like to create a video: adults, over 25, final year in
a period of five learning portuguese. I told them they have to narrate
in one minute something about their time in the school, half true, half
comic. All that will be scrambled. any suggestion or advice?
SueP: me too
SueP: i'd take it to media services
JuanlusGst6: thanks
JuanlusGst6: 15 students in all
SueP: oh, juan, sorry. I'm reading yours now
JuanlusGst6: ok, no problem
RogerD: and I'm thinking...to get the parameters!
RogerD: I'd try to make it fun, Juan....i'm guessing they might be a
little self-conscious
JuanlusGst6: a funny narrative related to learning
RogerD: sure...where are your students?
RyanDe: Juan, will they be creating a slide show with pictures that
they've taken over the course of the five years?
SueP: or maybe a funny moment connected to a misunderstanding with
language
JuanlusGst6: in Mérida, Spain
RogerD: sounds good, Juan....and they're a pretty fun group?
JuanlusGst6: no, its them talking and being recorded by me
RyanDe: Just audio? No video?
JuanlusGst6: that may be the rub, motivation and uploading the product
JuanlusGst6: video
RogerD: you might put them in groups...film 3-5 together so they can
laugh at and assure each other...even lapse into Spanish if that happens
JuanlusGst6: fine
RogerD: I think they'd need to feel the whole thing is
fun..nonthreatening
JuanlusGst6: i agree: filming one after the other may be boring, no?
RyanDe: might also invite them to bring props.. a picture or object
that they could show and talk about
JuanlusGst6: fine too, yes
RogerD: great idea...a prop
SueP: how about a renactment?
RogerD: if you're alone in front of the camera, it's much more
threatening than if there's a group
CathleneB left the room (signed off).
RogerD: could they film each other?
JuanlusGst6: i guess they could
RogerD: that would add more spontenaity
RyanDe: who will edit the work?
JuanlusGst6: and there will be rehearsals too
JuanlusGst6: me
RogerD: fun...and good pronunciation work
SueP: I hate to leave but I must.
RogerD: Hate to say, but I do, too
SergioMa: Bye, Sue!
RyanDe: Thanks for coming Sue!
SueP: it's been great talking to you Roger and eveyone.
RogerD: bye sue
SueP: bye and have a good weekend
JuanlusGst6: me too, here its too late. Thanks a lot and "see you" soon
RyanDe waves
JuanlusGst6: its been great
RyanDe: Thanks for coming Juan.
SergioMa: Thanks, everyone
RogerD: will catch you all in the EVO discussion
JuanlusGst6: thank you all
SergioMa: I am interested in the level of correction and coaching to
offer. It is important not to be too fussy. However, their work has to be
on the web for all to see after all.
RogerD: Depends on the project for me....for short script, I mark it
pretty tightly
RogerD: and they want me to because they want to look good
RogerD: and even longer scripts i let them read through with me 2-3
times
Transcript of the chat with Roger Drury, Custom and Online Course Coordinator at
Georgia Tech Language Institute.
(Note: In places I've edited the transcript, grouping questions and answers together and deleting parts to shorten it. Lot's of good ideas and information here! Thanks Roger, Sue, Sergio, Juan and CathleneB! Ryan)Feb 10, 2007. Chat in progress....
SergioMa: One question I have is about evaluation. The sheets you
uploaded show that you grade Production and Delivery. At the top there is
space for you to comment on Title, Creativity, and Production values. Am
I correct in supposing that you do not in fact give them points for
those? Since your subject is Oral Skills I fully understand that. At the
same time, I would perhaps be concerned that students would expect some
tangible reward for working hard on the video. Actually, this is a
general issue I have with using student video production in ELT.
RogerD: Yeah...that's definitely my experience
RogerD: i find that the students are pretty honest
RogerD: they know when they put in effort and when they don't
RogerD: and when their classmates do and don't
RogerD: so that's there mostly to keep people honest
RogerD: if they know I'm going to "evaluate" it, they are inclined to
more effort
SergioMa: I see.
RogerD: and it lets me reward the students who work harder
RogerD: if a student tries but isn't technically great, that doesn't
matter to me
RogerD: i still reward the effort
RogerD: after all, like you said, it's a pronunciation class
SueP: Roger, I was able to see the video your students did with phrasal
verbs but I couldn't access the videos on your Web page. There's been a
few comments in this class about students not wanting to participate.
Could you talk about how you get students to want to make or be in the
videos?
RogerD: one thing I let student do...if they're really, really shy in
front of the camera
RogerD: is to do voice over images
RogerD: for example
RogerD: i had a japanese student who was painfully shy
RogerD: and for his ad, he took some ipod pic
RogerD: pics
RogerD: and just wrote and recorded a script
SueP: good solution
RogerD: however, i really try to create an open atmosphere that
stresses the fun elements
RogerD: i think they feel pretty uninhibited
RogerD: so that doesn't happen much
RogerD: ...and again, though
CathleneB: voice overs might overcome some cultural barriers and fears
of illegal aliens.
SueP: my experience as well since they work in a small group or pair
RogerD: my kids are here in the US...I think the might be much more shy
in Korea or Japan
RogerD: oh yeah, Sue...I could completely see that
SergioMa: About the ads. They were really fun. Do you ask your students
to parody specific ads? I do not watch American commercials here in
Japan, so I cannot tell.
RogerD: for the broadcast, we watch a real local news first and i have
them take notes on it...on stories and ads
RogerD: they note the topics...I let them choose
RogerD: I think they're real good at getting the atmosphere
RogerD: I think you might be able to do the same in japan
RogerD: have them do english versions of japanese products
RogerD: with that more-intense japanese atmosphere
RogerD: i see a lot of funny student vids from japan, taiwan and korea
on utube
SergioMa: Interesting. Thanks. One of the ads features a real product,
a soap called Dove. My understanding is that in the US parody is
protected from copyright infringement, but satire is not. Presumably you
thought the Dove people would take it in good sport or would not waste time
complaining about such a small thing.
RogerD: Yeah, i'm afraid I probably too relaxed about things like that,
Sergio...funny story-
RogerD: one of the ads is for the text we use, Well Said
RogerD: the author is a good friend of mine
RogerD: when the students did that ad, I sent it to her in an email
RogerD: with the subject line: unauthorized ad
SergioMa: Cool!
RogerD: she thought it was so funny that she sent it to here publisher
RyanDe: uh oh
RogerD: so...i guess if Dove were angry, it'd just take it off
RogerD: publisher liked it, too
RogerD: ESL people are just so relaxed
SueP: true
RyanDe: ..about evaluations.. does the award ceremony that you do
motivate the students to work harder?
RogerD: I found the vid projects hard to get started
RogerD: the first time I did them, they mostly didn't work
RogerD: that is, the Phrasals and the News
RogerD: however, after I had a few samples of toher student work
RogerD: they really took off
RogerD: i think people needed a target to shoot at
RyanDe: interesting
RogerD: and they always try to do better
RogerD: they want to do better technically
RogerD: but the good thing is that they hear
RogerD: the other students miss the occasional stress
RogerD: and they pay more attention to theirs
RogerD: and i think they like that they aren't having to record sound
files of texts
RogerD: video is something different
RogerD: ...just my opinion
RogerD: have others had that experience?
SergioMa: Can you elaborate on that, please?
RogerD: different more in a novelty way than ontological...at least,
that's what I meant
SueP: Do you video their acceptance speeches?
RogerD: they're proud to be able to produce something that looks half
good
RogerD: for my awards?
SueP: yes
RogerD: i'm so sorry i couldn't get some exerpts of that online
RogerD: yes, I do
RogerD: in fact, the last time, I had two students taping it
RogerD: (one Saudi student LOVED video)
SueP: wonderful
RogerD: after they taped everything, the Saudi edited it, added music
RogerD: and everyone had it as a souvenir of the class
RogerD: usually, I just do one camera
SueP: Is it on your site?
RogerD: it's too big...and I haven't taken parts of it out
RogerD: but I'll do that, Sue
RogerD: they can be fun
SueP: Great. I do something similar with accepting Academy Awards and
I'd love an example to show my class. And the language of awards "I want
to thank everyone"
RogerD: Exactly!
RogerD: i have the presenters write and practice
SueP: "I couldn't have done it without you"
RogerD: then they open the envelope and announce the winners
JuanlusGst6: excuse me, Roger, you work with teenagers, you have
parent`s consent and do you upload videos to the net?
RogerD: we don't really work with teens...our kids have to 18
RogerD: but i have started getting permission from the student as a
result of last year's evo
RogerD: and, exactly!, winners ahve to give an acceptance
RogerD: great impromptu experience
SueP: yes.
RyanDe: do your students sign release forms?
RogerD: yes, they all sign the release....i think it's the way i
present it
RogerD: i tell them I want to put their work on the net, and that
Georgia Tech is making me get this release before i can do it
RogerD: they're all motivated and want to do it
RogerD: i like the release form in the EVO YG files section
RogerD: especially the class one
RogerD: i'm going to switch to it
RogerD: sue, what level are your students?
SueP: Interesting point someone made about students feelings about
participation in Japan, let's say and here in the states. I've never had a
student who didn't want to be taped.
SueP: It depends on the term. In spring I'll have low-advanced.
RogerD: same here...even japanese!....but I could well imagine a more
reserved attitude among students in Japan
SueP: and I want to do the news broadcast
SergioMa: My students in Japan accepted being taped but did not want
their video on the web
RogerD: i ask because it hadn't occured to me to give them the
scaffolding of expressions...that's a really good idea, esp for lower and
intermediate kids
RogerD: mine are advanced
SueP: I've tried a similar exercise and they do an on the spot segment,
etc.
RogerD: IC, Sergio...i'm not completely surprised by that
RyanDe: Sergio, would your students be interested in seeing some of
Roger's student's work?
RogerD: I find many students are more shy about their language
abilities in their own countries than when they are overseas
RogerD: and the act of going overseas, of course, is a kind of filter
itself
RyanDe: Would that influence their decision about posting to the web?
SergioMa: Well, I plan on showing it to them next April
SergioMa: I hope it will help
RogerD: you'll have to tell us how it goes, sergio
SueP: I've found students have really needed the scaffolding and the
results are much better too. Then the components you've worked into the
exercise can be included in a rubric.
SergioMa: I there is a way to keep in touch after the seminar is over
RogerD: i can recommend a couple as examples, and you can give them
options about how do their ads
SergioMa: I would be happy to
RyanDe: Yes
RogerD: I very much agree, Sue...and the lower the level, the more
scaffolding
RogerD: I think one of our lower intermediate teachers did ads with her
class, and they LOVED it!
RyanDe: Roger, would your students be interested in seeing work
produced by Sergio's class, Sue's class, and others? If so, would they be
willing to offer feedback?
RogerD: Mine would definitely be interested...i can hardly keep them
off utube
SergioMa: Grat. I will work on nmine!
RogerD: feedback would be trickier because of the timing issues....I'm
in an IEP with two-month terms
SueP: yes. Do you ever use the CNN education site with the daily news
and questions. It could be a springboard for the newscast activity.
RogerD: Sergio was talking about models for the ads and news...CNN
would be great for that
RogerD: while I can use local news
RogerD: he could use cnn online
SergioMa: I am thinking of letting my students do mini documentaries
about their hometown
SueP: fun
SergioMa: Perhaps initially using voiceover
RogerD: I think we're on the wavelength, sergio
SergioMa: Instead of appearing on camera
RogerD: i want to teach overseas
RogerD: and part of what i want to do is multi-part documentary
RogerD: on the city
RogerD: exactly what you're thinking
SergioMa: Perfect
RogerD: multi-segment...NOT multi part
SergioMa: I see
RogerD: how would you organize the doc?
SergioMa: Well, I posted the plan on my wiki
SergioMa: But basixcally they would take pictures
SergioMa: Of places they think significant
SergioMa: They would also journal on why these piplaces are significant
SergioMa: to them. And they would discuss each other's work as well
RogerD: ic...would they read the journal over the photos
SergioMa: before "releasing it"
SergioMa: No. They would later think what to say based ion what they
wrote
SergioMa: and their friends' reaction to it
RogerD: That's a really good idea...so the documentary would be an
assembly of each individual student's film
SergioMa: Something like that
SergioMa: I will have to see the composition of the class
RogerD: nice...i'd like to get your wiki address so i can look at it
more! Ryan added me to the EVO, so i can get it there
RogerD: of course...the composition of the class is important
RogerD: esp with respect to video
SergioMa: Thanks, Roger. Of course, it ios work in progress
RyanDe: Sergio, are you open to the idea of having the students read a
script or otherwise talk about the pictures in the docs?
RogerD: I think everything we're all doing is work in progress
SergioMa: Yes, but I would not want it to sound like they are reading,
if you see what I mean
RyanDe: I do. Good point.
RogerD: I've wondered about that for my Cherokee doc, too
SergioMa: True, Roger. But I am just beginning
RyanDe: Roger, will your students be interviewing people?
RogerD: Of course...but beginning rather strongly, I think
RogerD: yes..in fact, I've already started that
JuanlusGst6 left the room (signed off).
RogerD: for the first part of the doc, we're asking a series of people
what their idea of the Cherokee is
RogerD: so I sent them in pairs to the library
RogerD: athletic complex
RogerD: cafeteria
RogerD: and i had them ask 5-6 students for their impressions
RogerD: we practiced questions, rhythm, stress before
RogerD: they LOVED it!
RogerD: this week, we practice content questions for the guides at the
state park
JuanlusGst6 joined the room.
RogerD: (there are cherokee places here that are state parks)
RogerD: welcome back Juan
JuanlusGst6: ups, dont know what happened
RogerD: np...it's still unpredictable
SueP: This sounds like a great project, Roger.
RyanDe: Cathlene, are you there?
RogerD: I think interview (in the US) is good practice
RyanDe: it really does, Roger!
SueP: a kind of roving reporter thing
RogerD: yes...and not everyone agrees to comment
RogerD: and that's fine, too
RogerD: good experience also
JuanlusGst6: I sent a message about my video project, dit it appear?
RogerD: on here?
RyanDe: Do the interviewees sign release forms?
JuanlusGst6: yes, before I "left"
RyanDe: no.. I don't think so Juan
JuanlusGst6: ok
SueP: we've done this for a newsletter written by our students. I'd
love to have them video it now.
RyanDe: can you post it again?
RogerD: another good idea, Sue!
RogerD: how would you distribute it?
SueP: over our program's site?
RogerD: OK! would file size be an issue, or is there a streaming
server?
SueP: ideally I'd love to have a student show on our school's site
RogerD: i've seen pages that somehow link to files in Utube
SueP: the tech is beyond me. i don't know
SueP: hmm
RogerD: i'm afraid it's beyond me, too....but I have someone to dump it
on here!
JuanlusGst6: I'd like to create a video: adults, over 25, final year in
a period of five learning portuguese. I told them they have to narrate
in one minute something about their time in the school, half true, half
comic. All that will be scrambled. any suggestion or advice?
SueP: me too
SueP: i'd take it to media services
JuanlusGst6: thanks
JuanlusGst6: 15 students in all
SueP: oh, juan, sorry. I'm reading yours now
JuanlusGst6: ok, no problem
RogerD: and I'm thinking...to get the parameters!
RogerD: I'd try to make it fun, Juan....i'm guessing they might be a
little self-conscious
JuanlusGst6: a funny narrative related to learning
RogerD: sure...where are your students?
RyanDe: Juan, will they be creating a slide show with pictures that
they've taken over the course of the five years?
SueP: or maybe a funny moment connected to a misunderstanding with
language
JuanlusGst6: in Mérida, Spain
RogerD: sounds good, Juan....and they're a pretty fun group?
JuanlusGst6: no, its them talking and being recorded by me
RyanDe: Just audio? No video?
JuanlusGst6: that may be the rub, motivation and uploading the product
JuanlusGst6: video
RogerD: you might put them in groups...film 3-5 together so they can
laugh at and assure each other...even lapse into Spanish if that happens
JuanlusGst6: fine
RogerD: I think they'd need to feel the whole thing is
fun..nonthreatening
JuanlusGst6: i agree: filming one after the other may be boring, no?
RyanDe: might also invite them to bring props.. a picture or object
that they could show and talk about
JuanlusGst6: fine too, yes
RogerD: great idea...a prop
SueP: how about a renactment?
RogerD: if you're alone in front of the camera, it's much more
threatening than if there's a group
CathleneB left the room (signed off).
RogerD: could they film each other?
JuanlusGst6: i guess they could
RogerD: that would add more spontenaity
RyanDe: who will edit the work?
JuanlusGst6: and there will be rehearsals too
JuanlusGst6: me
RogerD: fun...and good pronunciation work
SueP: I hate to leave but I must.
RogerD: Hate to say, but I do, too
SergioMa: Bye, Sue!
RyanDe: Thanks for coming Sue!
SueP: it's been great talking to you Roger and eveyone.
RogerD: bye sue
SueP: bye and have a good weekend
JuanlusGst6: me too, here its too late. Thanks a lot and "see you" soon
RyanDe waves
JuanlusGst6: its been great
RyanDe: Thanks for coming Juan.
SergioMa: Thanks, everyone
RogerD: will catch you all in the EVO discussion
JuanlusGst6: thank you all
SergioMa: I am interested in the level of correction and coaching to
offer. It is important not to be too fussy. However, their work has to be
on the web for all to see after all.
RogerD: Depends on the project for me....for short script, I mark it
pretty tightly
RogerD: and they want me to because they want to look good
RogerD: and even longer scripts i let them read through with me 2-3
times
RogerD: I posture it as me doing a favor for them
RogerD: that seems to motivate them more!